255 Best Bars in Canada

The dark apothecarian interior at BarChef features dimly lit chandeliers and tabletop candles, which set the stage for wild and wonderful concoctions that force patrons to reimagine classic cocktails as art installations. The bartender's bag of tricks includes liquid nitrogen, so cocktails foam over like a foggy mist onto the table or turn into ice shards for a sensory experience that looks as good as it tastes. Purists can order a classic French absinthe fountain while fans of whiskey should order the signature Vanilla and Hickory Smoked Manhattan, served in a smoke-filled jar (but be warned, it clocks in at a hefty C$50). While not highlighted, a full page of the menu is devoted to meats, cheeses, and elevated bar snacks.

If beer is your thing, head to Alibi, which specializes in pairing beer with your meal. Kegs of microbrews from around British Columbia and beyond are the pride and joy here, and it's known for having one of the best selections of craft beers in Vancouver. For those looking for something other than beer, there are also organic wines and a few fun cocktails to enjoy. 

One of the city's most romantic spots is the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac's bar, which boasts the most interesting cocktail menu in town. You can also have some wine or a bit of charcuterie and cheese, and relax while looking at the St. Lawrence River or the two fireplaces.

Making its name through word of mouth alone, Furco is one of the trendiest Downtown bistro bars. Furco, short for Fur Company since it's housed in an old fur warehouse, is one of those places for which people make reservations—and for good reason. It's all about the industrial-chic interior, the warm amber lighting, and the relaxed, inviting vibe. And a great outdoor terrace. A nice mix of clientele, great food (the menu changes weekly), and good pours also help make this a popular after-work hangout for locals, and the perfect retreat from the Quartier des Spectacles, a stone's throw away.

This sumptuously decorated Scottish pub, which occupies a historic bank building on Victoria's main shopping street, has bangers and mash and shepherd's pie on the menu, as well as a great selection of ales and live music every night. Plus, there's no cover charge.

This restaurant, bar, and on-site brewery has been a smash hit since it opened in 2012. If the sun is shining, expect a line for the spacious patio, a great spot to sample the always evolving craft beer selection. Sour-beer fans should try the seasonal fruit-infused Jelly King, which has beer drinkers queueing up at the bottle shop on release day. The hearty snacks run the gamut from Canadian cheeses and terrine to a crispy Newfoundland cod sandwich.

This Czech-themed bar is a favorite hangout of Plateau locals. There's live jazz during the cocktail hour and a DJ or classical performances later in the evening. Try an absinthe-laced apple cocktail from the extensive alcohol menu as you nibble on a few tapas. Bily Kun gets packed, though the high ceilings help alleviate the feeling of claustrophobia.

The family that runs this narrow beer and cocktail bar has a side business importing rare brews from all over the world, so you know whatever's on tap—whether it's brewed in Ontario or Belgium—is going to be stellar. Weathered brick walls and a hidden back courtyard add to the old-world feel. Grab antipasti and pizzas if you're hungry, or hit up Bottega Volo two doors down for snacks and bottles to go.

Inside this intimate bar on the eastern edge of Chinatown, you'll find retro '80s vibes, A+ cocktails (you must try the Greyscale with gin, black lime, black sesame, lime juice, and egg white), and affordable eats from the attached Juke Fried Chicken (fried chicken, ribs, sandwiches, cornbread, mac and cheese, etc.). There's a small outdoor space, too.

Whether you're a colada aficionado or some who goes for the classics like daiquiris or a Manhattan, this cocktails-only late night spot delivers a top-notch selection. All syrups are made in-house and nearly all juices are freshly squeezed. Drinks are on the pricey side but with over 40 rums alone, some might even suggest it's a tropical paradise of Mai Tais and Mojitos.

Hidden in plain sight on the upper level of the Waterworks Food Hall, a former pipe and plumbing factory, this decadent art nouveau cocktail bar captures Toronto's "Roaring '20s" with its deliberate tribute to the building it's housed in. The menu features ingeniously crafted libations with cheeky industrial names like a Pounding Sand or the Strickling Bar. No ingredient goes to waste on the palate here, but the real catch is the bar's "water program" that features demineralized Toronto tap water that's been remineralized to replicate the profiles of popular springs from around the world. Tasty fusion snacks from the food hall below can also be ordered.

For over four decades, this comedy club has been showering Montrealers with humor from some of the biggest names out there: Jim Carrey, Tim Allen, and Russell Peters included. For a mere C$6, Newbie Tuesdays and Comedy Lab Wednesdays, when novice comedians and local comics work out new material, are always good for a laugh and will also secure you one free ticket for a Thursday 8 pm or Friday late show. Arrive early to get a decent spot near the stage (or perhaps away from it if you don't want to be in the spotlight).

Built as a cinema in 1919, this stately theater is now a live music venue that attracts popular touring acts that run the gamut of punk, rock, rap, folk, electronic music, and even stand-up comedy. Notable performers have included Rihanna, Blue Rodeo, Father John Misty, and Echo and the Bunnymen.

Locals know the Drake as a hub for art, culture, food, and nightlife, with multiple spaces hosting events on any given night. The basement is home to the Drake Underground, a venue that hosts live music and DJ nights, while the rooftop Sky Yard patio serves drinks surrounded by eye-popping art installations.

Part rustic Balkan eatery, part cabaret, Drom Taberna is alive with the spirit of the Romani people. Every night of the week you'll be able to experience a wide range of global sounds from Middle Eastern--influenced flamenco to interactive Balfolk dancing going late into the evening. Menu must-tries include čevapi (a Bosnian grilled meat staple) and goulash, and no meal would be complete without a bowl of Ukrainian-style borscht. Armenian, Croatian, and Georgian wines dominate the drinks list, along with a dozen different herbal digestifs, rakijas, and palinkas (fruit brandies).

Owned by the same people behind Coldroom, El Pequeño Bar really lives up to its name: the bar seats only nine, it's that small. For all its diminutive size El Pequeño packs a big punch, having been named one of Canada's top 50 bars in early 2020, ranking at no. 4, in addition to placing 29th in North America's Top 50 in 2022. Adorned with an ornate glass chandelier, white marble countertops, and dozens of Caribbean rum bottles behind the bar, this pocket-sized spot is an homage to the 1920s Havana hotel lobby bar. Gifted cantineros (bartenders) specialize in mixing Cubanos and other rum-based cocktails while recounting tales of Ernest Hemingway in his Havana period. In summer, there's a good-sized terrace outside.

Although geared to the LGBT crowd, the fun vibe of wacky murals, open brickwork, and banquettes piled with velvet cushions draws everyone looking for a good time. The food is good and the entertainment quirky including Karaoke Sundays and Talent Tuesday, usually a mix of comedy, drag, and local musicians.

This legendary, low-ceilinged rock bar on Queen West has earned a reputation as the place to play for local acts and touring bands alike. Opened in 1947 as a country music venue, the Shoe (as it's often called) hosted greats like Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, and the Carter Family. The venue's scope widened to include the emerging folk, rock, and punk scenes in the 1960s and '70s, giving way to early appearances by the Police, Tom Waits, and Talking Heads. The Rolling Stones even played a now-legendary surprise set here in 1997. Today, the venue books rock, indie, and punk acts from home and abroad.

Since 1980, the award-winning Vancouver TheatreSports troupe has been performing hilarious improv. Catch a show before an enthusiastic crowd Wednesday to Saturday evenings at 7:30 and 9:30, or enjoy some stand up, featuring Canadian and international headliners every other Thursday at 9.

The Keefer Bar has fully capitalized on its Chinatown connection, using ingredients sourced from local herbalists—think ginseng, tea-based tinctures, or astragalus root. Small plates of Asian dishes make good nibbling. The decor is dark and red, with hanging cylindrical neon lights that layer a sultry, hidden vibe over nights of live music and DJs.

At -32°C (-26°F), the Ketel One Ice Room is the world’s coldest vodka tasting room—and the only permanent subzero vodka room in Canada. The experience (C$52) includes the use of cozy Arctic Expedition parkas, four shot-glass tasters from a selection of 50 vodka varieties, and one definite "wow" moment to remember.

With its unappealing storefront, bric-a-brac décor, retro knickknacks, and sceney vibes, Majestique is a quirky wine bar that's open until the wee hours with an excellent selection of small plates. The snazzy surroundings only add to the charm of this fine-dining-meets-casual savoir faire; the salmon confit, foot-long hot dog, quinoa croquette, and rotating choice of fresh oysters are musts. Note that minors are not allowed on the premises.

A 14-foot communal table crafted from a redwood plank is the heart of this tasting room and distillery, which produces small-batch gins, vodka, and special liqueurs. The house-made spirits are the basis of excellent cocktails, and though the tasting room has fairly limited hours (Friday for gin and tonics, Thursday and Saturday for cocktails), the family charm makes the experience a worthwhile treat. Plan ahead, as it's closed Monday to Wednesday.

Latin-music lovers of all ages dress up to get down to live Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and salsa music at this old-school hot spot. Now over two decades old, Lula has become a global music institution, going beyond those genres into samba, cumbia, reggae, Indigenous throat singing, and anything else you can think of. Weekend salsa nights include dance lessons, live band performances, and a prix-fixe menu. Lula is also an arts center, with dance and drumming lessons and a multitude of festivals and cultural events.

At this sophisticated yet relaxed wine bar, let yourself be guided by the expertise of the sommeliers. The tapas-style cuisine is top-notch, and the green beans with truffle oil and roasted almonds are scrumptious. During cooler months things get going at 4:30 pm, but in summer don't arrive until the sun starts to set.

One of Vancouver's original microbreweries, R&B serves house-made beers with East Vancouver-inspired names (try the Stolen Bike Lager or Dude Chilling Pale Ale) alongside a delicious brewpub menu (they are well known for their pizzas). Grab a seat in the busy taproom or on the small outdoor patio. And while you nosh on pizza and beer, enjoy the music on the overhead speakers, and take in the baseball knickknacks and cool retro decor. 

It's all about the beer at this friendly restaurant and bar, where it's all brewed right on the premises. Packed almost every night of the week, this bar has everything from India pale ales to German-inspired wheat beers. The upstairs patio is the ideal spot for watching locals stroll along the quaint brick-paved avenue.

Since it was founded in 1973, Toronto's Second City—the younger sibling of the Second City in Chicago—has been showcasing some of the best comedy in Canada. Regular features include sketch comedy, improv battles, and seasonal revues. The recently re-opened complex houses three theaters and a restaurant, The Bentwood, with pricing running from C$15 to C$50 depending on seating and the show.